Freedom of religion but no freedom in religion?

Question

Sloppy: Who or what is Jesus Christ you talk of and is there real freedom in that or is a person just chained to a set of beliefs?

Free Spirit: Like that name. What I'm asking is, is there REAL FREEDOM in religion or just a set of beliefs that make a person feel better.

arcticsun:God defines the true religion, how does God do that? I'm interested.

Shaz: Yes that is a big part of the problem. Well said.

Answer 1

nice program!

lets try and speak to the stones!

Answer 2

1st: Jefferson did not write about freedom from religion. The letter is a response to a pastor who was worried one denomination would be established as the church of the United States. The letter clearly states we would not be like European countries who had an official church denomination so there would be freedom of religion.

2nd: Religion is a broad term which indicates a belief in a God. It's not wise to indicate one denomination's structure is the same as another. People find comfort in structure but the degree of structure varies from denomination to denomination. Some are very legalistic and require strict rules. Others are more relaxed but their leaders actually lead the followers by example and explanation. You have the right to decide which denomination you will follow or to follow none.

Answer 3

God gives you the free will to choose your religion and everything else in life. If you choose a religion that you feel spiritally is holding you back from life the its the wrong one. I think everyone here knows I am not an advocate for religion. I will say that there is a lot of freedom in Christianity. Perhaps try getting away from religion and getting into god and studying the Bible. There are churches otthere that are not "religious". Try one of those out. good luck to you.

Answer 4

Gary has his facts wrong. The American nation was NOT founded on Christianity (nothing in Christianity says people can vote, be equal, it says to obey). It was founded on enlightened European ideals.

As the Treaty of Tripoli states America was not a nation of ANY religion and John Adams read this to the public and signed it as President of the United States.

I won't take from religion that it has done good and that good men follwed it to make things better but I will not abandon all fact and reason because some dude in a hat tells me to or I will go to Hell. Organized religion has been on a systematic rampage of rewriting history, redefining words as they see fit, and basically changing all facts. I refuse to allow religion to absorb the work of others in an attempt to steal control of all things. Why should religion get to anyway? It has killed more people than anything else since the dawn of time.

Answer 5

The only freedom you have "in" religion (as defined by the dictionary) is whether you want to get "into" it and/or back "out of" it or not. But why would anyone want to be "in" a religion and then not want to follow it, or in other words, want to have the "freedom" to do as you please? On the other hand, in true religion as God defines it, God allows us complete freedom...freedom of choice. He shows us a better way, offers us eternal life if we want it, offers us his love and asks (hopes?) that we will love him in return. BUT he never coerces, never demands, never stops us from doing what we wish....not even walking away from him. That's freedom in the highest sense of the word.

Answer 6

This is an interesting statement, which should lead one to think very carefully before choosing exactly what one's beliefs will be. Of course you don't have to choose any one particular religion--- you may choose beliefs from a number of religions:They all have interesting bits to offer! So, study them all and pick and choose. By the way, I'm an ol' fart whose chosen to be a Bhuddist. It is the purist of all beliefs.

Answer 7

You just have to keep searching until you find a religion you feel free in. Every denomination of christianity has it's own beliefs/traditions/etc..., try a Unity church, they are typically the most open minded.

Answer 8

Believing in God doesnt chain you, it sets you free. Free from your sins!

If you got a problem with Biblical principle then perhaps you are lacking faith and letting your pride get in the way?

Answer 9

Jefferson clearly thought that the first amendment and the guarantees of religious freedom in Virginia guaranteed from FROM religion.

Answer 10

We have freedom of religion but not freedom of verbal persuction and critisim. The media is bias and we can stop it.
Im a bit confused with your question.

Answer 11

" The Bible is the cornerstone of libery". -- Thomas Jefferson"

"That Book (the Bible), sir, is the Rock on which our Republic rests". - Andrew Jackson

"It is God who gave us life and liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be secure when we have removed the conviction that these liberties are a gift from God?" - Thomas Jefferson

"It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God and to obey His will". -- George Washington

" We stake the whole future history of this nation upon the ablility of its people to govern & control themselves according to the 10 Commandments". -- James Madison ...Chief Archetect of the US Constistution and 2nd Pres. of US.

"It cannot be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ." - Patrick Henry

So why should we believe clueless atheists that are trying to convince us otherwise? I choose to believe our Founding Fathers and reject the atheists who are trying to re-write history to suit their own selfish agenda.

"America was founded as a Christian Nation according to John Adams: "The highest history of the American revolutionis this:It connected in ONE INDISSOLUABLE BOND the principles of civil government with the principles of CHRISTIANITY". -- John Adam - 2nd President of the U S

" The American nation from its first settlement at Jamestown to this hour is BASED UPON and permeated BY THE PRINCIPLES OF THE BIBLE". Supreme Court Justice David Joseph Breiver (1837-1910)

"Of all the dispositions and habits which lead to political prosperity, religion and morality are indespensible supports". - George Washington.

"OurConstitution was made for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other". _ John Adams